89 Octane
10-13-2004, 01:20 PM
#1
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89 Octane
OK, before I get smacked down I wanna let you know I did this as a test.
The manual says run 91 octane. Most people here recommend 91 octane but say that lower octane is ok because the knock sensor will retard the timing, which will result in lower performance but no engine problems.
So, I went from 93 to 89 octane on one and only one tank (I figured wth since gas just jumped 10 cents might as well try).
Results: Performance decreased notably but it still hauls ***.
Engine seems to run quieter and a tad smoother.
I seem to be getting about 3-4 mpg better mileage.
Does this all make sense?
Would coninued usage of 89/87 octane damage the engine?
Mind you I have no desire to reduce performance, it kind of bums me out to not get as much oomf as before, but every once in a while when you have a week where your strapped it would be nice to know I could run 89 or 87 for a tank and get better mileage as well...
The manual says run 91 octane. Most people here recommend 91 octane but say that lower octane is ok because the knock sensor will retard the timing, which will result in lower performance but no engine problems.
So, I went from 93 to 89 octane on one and only one tank (I figured wth since gas just jumped 10 cents might as well try).
Results: Performance decreased notably but it still hauls ***.
Engine seems to run quieter and a tad smoother.
I seem to be getting about 3-4 mpg better mileage.
Does this all make sense?
Would coninued usage of 89/87 octane damage the engine?
Mind you I have no desire to reduce performance, it kind of bums me out to not get as much oomf as before, but every once in a while when you have a week where your strapped it would be nice to know I could run 89 or 87 for a tank and get better mileage as well...
10-13-2004, 01:32 PM
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u cant run lower than 91 forever. however im sure nissan designed the car so that it can have a few tanks run through it lower than 91. i mean honestly, im sure some ppl dont check the pump and add 89 occasionally. doing that, im sure nissan designed the Z so that it wont blow up. i mean if it were that bad what would u do in the case u ran a lower octane fuel twice in a row, do they expect you to just empty the fuel out?
however, knowing u had put in a lower octane i wouldnt run it hard.
john
however, knowing u had put in a lower octane i wouldnt run it hard.
john
10-13-2004, 01:54 PM
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TX has 93, thats pretty cool. Highest we got here in the desert is 91. Well, I would consider maybe once or twice in my G, but I like being nice to it, because it treats me well 
10-13-2004, 02:47 PM
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You could probably run 89 for the life of the car and not physically hurt the motor. Nissan's are particulary sensitive to octane, and really retards the timing. You can lose a lot of performance, but I can't believe you would really hurt the motor.
Keep it in perspective. If you save $.10 per gallon, thats a whopping $1.50 a tank. Just don't buy fries that day and get the premium.
Keep it in perspective. If you save $.10 per gallon, thats a whopping $1.50 a tank. Just don't buy fries that day and get the premium.
10-13-2004, 06:22 PM
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Originally posted by Losing Grip II
u cant run lower than 91 forever. however im sure nissan designed the car so that it can have a few tanks run through it lower than 91. i mean honestly, im sure some ppl dont check the pump and add 89 occasionally. doing that, im sure nissan designed the Z so that it wont blow up. i mean if it were that bad what would u do in the case u ran a lower octane fuel twice in a row, do they expect you to just empty the fuel out?
however, knowing u had put in a lower octane i wouldnt run it hard.
john
u cant run lower than 91 forever. however im sure nissan designed the car so that it can have a few tanks run through it lower than 91. i mean honestly, im sure some ppl dont check the pump and add 89 occasionally. doing that, im sure nissan designed the Z so that it wont blow up. i mean if it were that bad what would u do in the case u ran a lower octane fuel twice in a row, do they expect you to just empty the fuel out?
however, knowing u had put in a lower octane i wouldnt run it hard.
john
10-13-2004, 09:55 PM
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I agree with what Alang said... pls dont take this as bashing... but if you can afford the car, i don't see what the big deal is to spend an extra couple bucks a week for the octane it was meant to use. Cuz if you were really that strapped for cash, i'm sure there are alot of other things that'd save even more money than using the lower grade gas
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10-14-2004, 11:01 AM
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I have a question....When you pump gas from a single hose and select your gas grade on the pump do you not get what ever gas the person b4 you pumped? Where is the cut off located?
Does anyone understand what I'm trying to ask here?
Does anyone understand what I'm trying to ask here?
10-14-2004, 12:00 PM
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Originally posted by Alang
You could probably run 89 for the life of the car and not physically hurt the motor. Nissan's are particulary sensitive to octane, and really retards the timing. You can lose a lot of performance, but I can't believe you would really hurt the motor.
Keep it in perspective. If you save $.10 per gallon, thats a whopping $1.50 a tank. Just don't buy fries that day and get the premium.
You could probably run 89 for the life of the car and not physically hurt the motor. Nissan's are particulary sensitive to octane, and really retards the timing. You can lose a lot of performance, but I can't believe you would really hurt the motor.
Keep it in perspective. If you save $.10 per gallon, thats a whopping $1.50 a tank. Just don't buy fries that day and get the premium.
You could run 87 if you wanted and not hurt the motor. Just dont put load on it. Because the knock sensor will only retard timing so much. . . . you may detonate. And yes, performance loss will be noticeable with lower octane.
10-14-2004, 12:30 PM
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Originally posted by BHOPPER 5
I have a question....When you pump gas from a single hose and select your gas grade on the pump do you not get what ever gas the person b4 you pumped? Where is the cut off located?
Does anyone understand what I'm trying to ask here?
I have a question....When you pump gas from a single hose and select your gas grade on the pump do you not get what ever gas the person b4 you pumped? Where is the cut off located?
Does anyone understand what I'm trying to ask here?
Wow, i never thought about this before... i'd be curious just how much of the "left-overs" we'd get too.
10-15-2004, 07:38 PM
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Originally posted by BHOPPER 5
I have a question....When you pump gas from a single hose and select your gas grade on the pump do you not get what ever gas the person b4 you pumped? Where is the cut off located?
Does anyone understand what I'm trying to ask here?
I have a question....When you pump gas from a single hose and select your gas grade on the pump do you not get what ever gas the person b4 you pumped? Where is the cut off located?
Does anyone understand what I'm trying to ask here?
10-17-2004, 12:40 PM
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Originally posted by AZZGUY
With all that smog - it likely takes a couple more octane to get the car going good!
With all that smog - it likely takes a couple more octane to get the car going good!
10-17-2004, 01:36 PM
#17
Id think those tubes would hole maybe a pint or 2; not nearly enough to really throw off the overall octane. given the choice of which side of the street to go to Id take the one with individual pumps; but mostly cause its probably newer.
out of 15gallons; with the difference being 6octane; a couple of pints would affect you by like .15octane.
out of 15gallons; with the difference being 6octane; a couple of pints would affect you by like .15octane.
